Receptacle, case, and the like



Jan. 12,1937. ANDERSON 2,067,558

RECEPTACLE, CASE AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 27, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 155.12, 1937. A. ANDERSON 2,067,558

RECEPTACLE, CASE AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 27, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 12, 1937'.

A. ANDERSON I 2,067,558

RECEPTACLE, CASE AND THE LIKE Filed 001;. 27, 1934 5 SheetsSheet 5 for relative hinging movement.

Patented Jan. 12, 1937 PATENT OFFICE RECEPTACLE, CASE, ANDTHE LIKE Axel Anderson, Clifton, N. J.

Application October 27,

18 Claims.

This invention relates to receptacles, cases, and the like, and more particularly to improvements in closure fasteners therefor.

Among the objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved receptacle, case or the like; the provision of a novel form of closure fastener for receptacles, cases and the like; the provision of a closure fastener of the above character which is simple and inexpensive in manufacture, rugged in construction and durable in use; the provision of a closure fastener having a wide range of application and use; the provision of a hinged closure fastener which, in addition toits cover or like element fastening function, may also provide a hinge between the elements to be fastened; the provision of a closure fastener of the last above described character which may be readily manipulated.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following analysis of this invention wherein is illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the present invention, together with certain modifications in detail.

In the drawings- Figs. land 2 are illustrative of one embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are illustrative of another embodiment of the invention;

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are illustrative of a still further embodiment of the invention in which the closure fastener itself forms a receptacle auxiliary to the main receptacle;

Figs. 9 and 10 are illustrative of a further embodiment of a closure fastener in accordance with the present invention, such being applied to covers, cases and the like;

Figs. ll, 12, 13 and 14 are illustrative of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, reference character Ill designates a receptacle provided with a closure II of the slip type, the receptacle and closure being intended Reference characters I2 and I3 indicate generally a pair of generally U-shaped fastener elements which, in the form illustrated, are each comprised by L-shaped strap members I4a, Mb, the short legs of which are disposed in abutting relation and are hinged together as at I5. The ends of the long legs of the strap members Ma, Mb which normally extend in substantially parallel arrangement are respectively pivoted as by pins or studs I6 to the cover II and body portion In of the receptacle.

1934, Serial No. 750,348

The pins I5, when the cover is in closed position on the receptacle I0, extend along a common axis which in turn extends through the cover and receptacle, whereby the hingedly connected strap elements Ma, I4b, may swing about the axis of the pivot pins I6 and generally laterally with respect to the receptacle I0 and cover II therefor.

As will be evident from the drawings, the fastener elements I2, I3 are swingable from a position indicated in full lines, Fig. 1, to a dotted line position as illustrated. In the full line position, the hinged straps I la, I4b cooperate tr provide a closure fastener, it being understood that the relatively vertical distance between the oppositely related long legs of said elements is such as to snugly encompass the cover and receptacle when the cover is in closed position. Thus, in the full line position of the hinge elements Ma, I4b as indicated in Fig. 1, such elements securely hold the cover II in fastened relation on the receptacle II], and relative separating action between the receptacle and cover is prevented by the cooperation of the short legs of the strap members Ida, IIIb, such legs forming in effect a rigid link or connection between the long legs of said strap members.

Upon swinging the fastener elements about the axis of the pins I6 to the dotted line position (Fig. 1), which position is defined by a pin or depression I8 formed, for example, on the bottom wall of the receptacle III, the hingedly related strap members I la, I4b may be hinged with relation to each other about the axis of the hinge I5, and in such position the cover II may be raised and swung upwardly about the axis of said hinge I5.

Where a pair of fastener elements I2, I3 are provided as in the Figs. 1 and 2 construction, the arrangement of the stop lugs or depressions I8 is such as to cause the hinges I5 of the pair to extend in axial alignment, thus to form spaced hinge points about which the cover II may be hinged in its raising movement from the receptacle II].

It is to be understood that while I have shown a receptacle of circular formation and a cover of slip-on type, such is suggestive only and I do not wish to be limited in this respect, as receptacles of other shape and cross section may be embodied, as well as other types of covers such as the flush type, for example.

Considering now the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, reference character designates a receptacle having a closure ZI, the receptacle and closure illustrated being of the type generally used in ladies toilet compacts. The receptacle closure 2| is hingedly related to the body portion 26 of the receptacle by a hinge 22 which, by reference to Fig. 3, is preferably offset laterally from a horizontal diagonal through the receptacle.

A U-shaped cover fastening unit 25 constituted by L-shaped strap members 260., 21a, the short legs of which are in abutting relation and are flexibly connected to each other as by means of hinges 2B, is disposed in embracing relation with respect to the receptacle and cover, the ends of the long legs of the closure fastener being pivoted to the cover and receptacle respectively as by pins 36 which extend co-axially when: the cover is in closed position on the receptacle and through the central axis of the cover and receptacle. The length of the long legs of the strap members 260., 21a is such that the short legs thereof may clear the peripheral edge of the cover and receptacle, whereby as the fastener unit is swung about the axis of pins 36 it follows the periphery of the closed receptacle.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 5 wherein the closure fastener unit. 25 is associated with the receptacle and cover in closure fastener relation, such relation being defined when the fastener element abuts against a lug or depression 3| formed, for example, in the bottom wall of the receptacle 20, the cover is securely fastened to the receptacle, such being eifected by spacing the long legs of the L-shaped strap elements apart the distance of the overall depth of the cover and receptacle. In this position, the parts 26a, 21a are prevented from hinging with respect to one another'by reason of the non-aligning relation of hinges 22, 28 thus preventing a hinging or separating action between the cover 2| and recep- .-tacle 20 aboutthe axis of hinge 22. When, however, the closure fastener is swung about the axis of pins 30 to its Fig. 4 position, hinge 28 aligns with hinge '22 and cooperates therewith to permit raising of the cover 2| from the receptacle 20. The offset relation of hinge 22 accommodates the fastener in its Fig. 4 position whereby the cover may be raised from the receptacle without any binding action or interference between the hinges 22, 28.

As previously indicated, the type and construction of the receptacle 20 and cover 2| is suggestive only, and such may be modified within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, a main receptacle generally indicated at 35 may comprise a circular container 36 having a cover 31, preferably of the flush type, hinged thereto as at 38. The cover 31 is adapted to be fastened in closed position on the receptacle 36 by a fastener unit which also constitutes an aux-- iliary receptacle. Such fastening unit may comprise a relatively top disc and a lower disc 4| downwardly dished to provide a container, the lower disc being provided with an upturned strap or flange 42 on which the upper disc 40-is hinged as at 43.

top disc 46 of the fastener unit and cover '3'! of the main receptacle and through the lower disc 4| forming the auxiliary receptacle and the bottom wall of the container 36 of the main receptacle. The pins 44 extend-coaxially when cover 311s closed on container 36 and are disposed near the peripheral edges of the main receptacle and the fastener constituting the auxiliary receptacle.

Referring to Fig. 7, the auxiliary receptacle 40, 4| is shown in fastening relation with respect to the cover 3! of the main receptacle 36, such being effected by swinging the fastener unit 46, 4| about the axis of pins 44 until the peripheral edges of the disc 40 and bottom disc 4| engage against clips 45, 46 formed respectively on the cover 37 and container 36 of the main receptacle and adjacent their point of hinge connection; With such relation of parts, the cover 31 is securely held in closed relation on the container 36 while at the same time the action of the clips 45, 46

.and the relative positioning of the parts prevents any relative separation or hinging action between the discs 40, 4| of the fastening unit.

When access is desired to one or both of the containers 36, 4|, a relative swinging action is imparted to the parts 36, 31, and 40, 4|, whereby such parts swing relatively to each other and laterally about the axis of pins 44 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6. A stop detent or like means may be provided as by indenting the edge of disc 46 as at 4'! whereby lateral swinging action is interrupted when hinges 38, 43 are brought into axial alignment. When the hinges are so aligned,

the cover 38 and disc 40 may be swung together 1 about the axis of the hinges 38, 43 to a position indicated in Fig. 8 whereby access may be had to both the main container 36 and the auxiliary container 4|.

To close the receptacles, the cover 37 and disc 40 are swung towards the receptacles 36, 4| about the axis of hinges 38, 43 and thereupon the parts 36, 31, and 46, 4| may be moved laterally towards each other about the axis of pins 44 to the Fig. 7

position. It will beunderstood that thebottom I equally applicable for a cigarette case or the like.

In such arrangement, reference characters 50, 5| indicate two plates or backing'ele'ments' hingedly connected as at 52 for hinging action relative to each other about the axis of the hinge 52. A leaf spring 53 is associated with the hinge 52 or its pintle, with the leaves acting on the inner faces of the elements 56, 5| to urge said elements into open or separated relation. It will be understood that the form of spring 53 as illustratedis suggestive only, and other forms of. springs may be substituted therefor. 3 Y

A closure fastener applied to the cover or case device illustratedmay comprise straps 55a, 55b, hinged to'each other'adjacent one end of the straps as at 56. The other ends of the straps 55a, 5511, are pivotally connected to the plate or cover elements 5|], 5|-as by pins or studs 51w,'5'|b, said pins being coaxially arranged when said elements are swung to their closed position.

By reference to Fig. 10 where the fastening element is illustrated in embracing relation to like edges of the plate elements '50, 5| whereby to hold the same together, it will be seen'that the fastener element in full lines is in position to bind or clamp the plate or cover elements 56, 5| together by engaging over the relatively lower edge of both of the cover or plate elements. In such position, hinging action between the strap 55a, 55b is prevented due to the non-aligning relation of hinges 52, 56.

When it is desired to open the cover or plate elements 56, 5|, the cover fastener is swung to its dotted line position, Fig. 10, whereupon hinge 56 is axially aligned with hinge 52. Thereupon the spring 53 acts against the inner faces of the cover or plate elements 56, 5| to urge them outwardly, thus permitting access to the cards, records, or the like contained between the elements 56, 5|, or to cigarettes and like articles, if the plates 56, 5| are shaped as a receptacle, such as is common in cigarette cases.

In the open position of the elements as illustrated in Fig. 9, the closure fastener may be used as a handle, thus permitting ready access to the material or articles contained or positioned between the elements 56, 5|.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14, such is illustrative of a receptacle, box, or the like provided with a plurality of compartments in which access may be had to one of the compartments while maintaining the other compartment closed. While the compartment box illustrated is of rectangular shape, such is suggestive only, as boxes of other shapes may be utilized, among which may be noted square boxes, circular boxes, and the like.

In such construction, reference character 66 indicates a main receptacle or box having a plurality of upstanding walls as is conventional. A relatively shallow tray 6| is hinged along the top edge of one of the side walls, and preferably the front wall, of the box 66, as at 62. Preferably the top edge or edges of the tray terminate on the same plane as the top edge or edges of the box 66. To the top edge of the opposite wall of the tray 6| is hinged as at 63 a top or cover 64, said cover 64 being adapted to form a closure for the tray 6 With the construction so far described, it will be understood that by raising the cover 64 relatively of the main box or receptacle 66 and with respect to the tray 6|, access may be had to the tray 6| independently of the main portion of the box 66.

By reason of the hinged connection 63 between the tray 6| and cover 64, and also by reason of the hinged connection 62 between the tray 6| and the main box 66, it will be further seen that tray 6| and cover 64 may be swung as a unit about the axis of hinge 62, thus to give access to the box proper 66, as indicated in Fig. 14.

According to my invention, I provide fastener elements which in one position (Fig. 11) function to fasten the cover 64 in closing relation to the tray 6| and at the same time operate to fasten tray 6| and cover 64 as a cover unit with respect to the main box or receptacle 66. Such fastener elements are designated at 66, 61, each being comprised of hingedly related straps 68a, 6812, each of the straps being substanitally L-shaped, although the short leg of the L-shaped strap member 68b may be longer than the short leg of the strap member 68a, the length of such legs being proportioned to the depth of the side walls and the vertical positioning of the hinges 62, 63. The said strap members 68a, 68b are hingedly related as by a hinge 16, such hinge being adapted to align with and extend coaxially with respect ,to the hinges 62, 63. The resulting arrangement of strap members when in closure fastening relation is generally U-shaped, with the long legs of the L-shaped members making up the fastener being spaced from one another the distance of the overall depth of the receptacle and cover.

The ends of the long legs of the strap elements making up a closure fastener are pivoted, respectively, to the cover 64 and to the bottom wall of the receptacle 66 as by pins or studs 1| which, when the compartment box is closed, extend along a common axis extending through the box and cover. It will be seen that the fastener elements 66, 61 are each swingable laterally about the axis of pivot pins 1|. When the fastener elements are disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 11, that is, the fastener element 66 extending relatively frontwardly and the fastener element 61 rearwardly, the said fastener element 66 acts to fasten cover 64 in closing relation with respect to the tray 6|, with the fastener element 61 acting to fasten tray 6|, and cover 64 movable therewith about hinge 62 to the box 66. If access to the tray 6| is desired, fastener element 66 is swung about the axis of pin 1| to its dotted line position (Fig. 11), in which position the hinges 16 of the fastener elements 66, 61 are in alignment with hinge 63. Cover 64 may now be swung about the axis of the hinge 63 to permit access to the tray 6|. During such raising movement of the cover 64, the fastener parts 68a, 68b of the fastener elements 66, 61 hinge with respect to each other about the axis of hinge 16.

If access to the body portion of the receptacle 66 is desired, both of the fastener elements 66, 61 are swung to their forward position indicated in Fig. 14, and in this position the hinges 16 which connect the strap elements 68a, 68b of the fastener elements 66, 61 are in axial alignment with the hinge 62. Thereupon tray 6| and cover 64, moving as a unit about the axis of hinge 62, may be swung upwardly with respect to the box 66 whereby to permit access to the same. To close and fasten the box after the opening movement described in connection with the Fig. 14, the unit comprising the tray 6| and cover 64 therefor is swung about hinge 62 to close box 66 and fastener element 61 is swung about its pivotal connection to its rearward position illustrated in Fig. 11, and the box and compartments thereof are closed in accordance with the foregoing.

The above described closure fastener may be modified in shape, design and dimensioning to meet various conditions and applications of use, all within the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of members arranged for relative swinging movement towards, and from each other, and flexibly related elements, one of which is pivoted to one of said members and the other to another member for movement about a common axis which normally extends through said members, said flexibly related elements in one position being operative to fasten said members together and in another position to permit relative swinging movement of said members.

2. The combination of members arranged for relative swinging movement towards and from each other, and hingedly related elements, one of which is pivoted to one of said members and the other to another member for movement about a common axis which normally extends through said members, said hingedly related members in one position being held against hinging action with respect to each other, thereby to fasten said members together, and in another position being operative to hinge with respect to each other thereby to permit relative swinging movement between said members.

strap members may swing about an axis extend-.

ing normally through the cover and receptacle, the strap 'membersinone position being held against relative swinging action whereby tov secure the. cover on the receptacle and in. another position being free to hinge with respect to each other.

4. The combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor, and means for fastening the coverto the receptacle, said means comprising strap members,a hinge connecting adjacent ends of the strap members, the other ends being pivoted respectively to the cover and the receptacle whereby the strap members may swing about an axis extend-. ing normally through the cover and receptacle, the strap members in one position being held against relative swinging action whereby to secure the cover on the receptacle and in another position being free to hinge with respect to each.

other, and providing a hinging connection between said receptacle and cover.

5. The combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor, and means for fastening the cover to the receptacle, said means comprising L-shaped strap members disposed in facing relation, a hinge connecting the abutting ends of said strap members, the other end of said strap members being pivotedrespectively to the cover and the receptacle whereby the strap members may swing about an axis that extends normally through the cover and receptacle, the strap members in one position being held against relative swinging action whereby to secure the cover on the receptacle and in another position being free to hinge with respect to each other.

6. The combination of a receptacle, a co-ver therefor, and means for fastening the cover to the receptacle, said means comprising L-shaped strap members disposed in facing relation, a

hinge connecting the abutting ends of said strap members, the other ends of said strip members being pivoted respectively to the cover and the receptacle whereby the strap members may swing about an axis that extends normally through the cover and receptacle, the strap members in one position being held against relative swinging action whereby to secure the cover on the receptacle and in another position being free to hinge with respect to each other, and providing a hinging connection between said cover and receptacle. 7. The combination of a receptacle, a swinging covertherefor, a U-shaped fastener member connected to said cover and receptacle, said member being swingable laterally with respect to said cover and receptacle and being operative to fasten the cover in closed position on the receptacle.

8. The combination of a receptacle, a swinging cover therefor, a hinge member forming a connection between said cover and receptacle, said hinge member being swingable laterally with re.-

spect to said cover and receptacle and being oper ative to fasten the cover in closed position on the receptacle.

9. The combination of a receptacle, a swinging I cover therefor, a hinge member comprising strap members hinged together at one end, the other ends of said strap members being each pivoted to the cover and receptacle for swinging movement about a. common axis extending normally through 1 said cover and receptacle, the hinge member in one position being operative to fasten the cover 5 in closed position to the receptacle, and in another position providing a hinge for the cover and -'re- 10. The combination ofa receptacle,a cover therefor; a hinge. forming a connection between the cover and .receptacle, and a cover fastener comprising a pair of elements 'anda hinge providinga connection therebetween, one of said elements being pivotedtosaid cover'and the other being pivoted .to the receptacle whereby the ele- 1 ments are swingable about an. axis extending through the-cover and receptacle to and from a position in which said hinges are in alignment.

11. The combination of a;v circular receptacle, a cover therefor, a hinge forming a, connection between the cover and the receptacle, and a coverfastener comprising a pair of strap elements and a hinge connecting adjacent ends of said elements,

forming elements, a hinge therebetween, and

means for fastening said elements in closed position with-respect to-each other, said means comprising a pair of straps, a hinge forming a connection between the ends of thestraps, the other ends of the straps being each pivoted to av case forming element whereby thestrap members may swing'about a common axis which extends normally through said elements, said straps being movable to .and from a position in which said hinges are in axial alignment.

13. A .case comprising operatively related case forming elements, a hinge therebetween, and means for fastening said elements in closedposition with respectv to each other, said means comprising a pair of straps, a hinge, forming a connection between the ends of the straps, the other ends of the straps being eachpivoted to' a case forming elementwhereby the strap members may swing about a common axis which extends normally through said elements, said straps in one.

position being operativeto fasten the elements in closed position and in another position to permit relative separation of saidv elements.

14. The combination of an open receptacle, a

tray disposed therein, a hinge operative between the adjacent top edges of the tray and receptacle,

a cover for the tray hinged to an opposed edge of the tray, the cover and tray being movable as a unit and serving as a closure for the receptacle, and means connected to the cover and receptacle and operative in one position to fasten the cover to' the tray and the cover and tray to the receptacle and in other positions topermit access tothe tray and-receptacle.

15. The combination of an open receptacle, 2'. tray disposedthereima hinge operative between E the adjacenttopedges of .the trayzand receptacle,

a cover for the tray hinged to an opposed edge of the tray, the cover and tray,being. movable asa unitand serving as :a closure for the recep-i tacleanda, pair of fastener elements each oper-,

from a position in which the fastener elements cooperate to fasten the cover to the tray and the cover and tray to the receptacle to positions permitting access to the tray independently of the receptacle and to the receptacle independently of the tray.

16. The combination of a receptacle, a cover therefor, a hinge providing a connection between the receptacle and cover, and a cover fastener comprising relatively separable elements one of which is pivoted to the cover and the other to the receptacle whereby to provide for relative swinging movement between said receptacle and cover therefor and said separable elements about an axis normally extending through the receptacle and cover, the separable elements in one position of its range of movement being maintained against separation by said hinge, and in another position being separable whereby the cover may be raised from the receptacle.

17. The combination with a receptacle and a cover hinged thereto, of a generally U-shaped cover fastener, the legs of said fastener being pivoted respectively to the receptacle and cover whereby the fastener may swing bodily about an axis extending normally through the receptacle and cover, the fastener in one position being operative to fasten the cover on the receptacle and in another position to permit the cover being raised from the receptacle.

18. The combination with a receptacle and a cover hinged thereto, of a generally U-shaped cover fastener, the legs of said fastener being pivoted respectively to the receptacle and cover whereby the fastener may swing bodily about an axis extending normally through the receptacle and cover, the legs of the fastener being spaced apart to engage the receptacle and cover in embracing relation whereby in one of its positions the fastener is operative to secure the cover on the receptacle, and the legs of said fastener being flexibly connected. whereby in another of its positions the fastener permits the cover being raised form the receptacle.

AXEL ANDERSON. 

